2024 Calcutta
Join us for an unforgettable evening of camaraderie and chance to benefit the Saint Albans Museum. Each ticket includes dinner catered by The Clean Spoon and one numbered ball with a chance to win the $2,500 grand prize!
The Murder of Marietta Ball: Remembering 150 Years Later
On Friday, July 24, 1874, schoolteacher Marietta Ball dismissed her class and prepared to walk a few of her pupils home before heading to a friend’s house for the weekend. Around 3:30 PM, after ensuring the children had made it safely home, she bid them goodbye and entered the woods towards Fairfield Road. She wouldn’t be seen again until two days later when her lifeless body was discovered, sending the town into a panic. The case went cold for over a year until the killer struck again…
On the 150th anniversary of Marietta’s death, this presentation recounts the events of that fateful day, the crime’s impact on the community, and the frantic search for her killer that saw nearly everyone in St. Albans as a suspect. Our featured speaker is Sarah Allard. Sarah has been a volunteer at the museum since 2021 and a member of the Board of Trustees since 2023. She earned her Master’s in History from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Author Avree Clark will also read a section from her book Malice Aforethought: A True Story of the Shocking Double Crime That Horrified Nineteenth-Century New England, provide a short presentation on the process of writing the book, and unveil a memorial plaque created by the Fairfield Historical Society. Avree is a native of New Hampshire with a passion for history, forensics, and research. Malice Aforethought was the winner of the 2024 Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for best debut novel and Mystery/Crime category winner.
This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited and participants are strongly encouraged to RSVP online. The evening presentation will also be livestreamed on our Facebook page.
A moment of silence will also be observed at Marietta’s grave at Greenwood Cemetery at 4:20 PM, hosted by Avree Clark.
CONTENT WARNING: This event contains discussion of murder and is not recommended for children under 18 years old.
Foraging 101 Presentation and Field Trip
From pickled fiddleheads to nettle tea to elderberry jam, a wide variety of delicious and nutritious dishes can be made from the plants growing in your own backyard. If you’ve been curious about foraging but unsure where to start, now’s your chance to learn! This two-day event will teach you the basics of identifying edible plants, harvesting them sustainably, and preparing them safely.
First, join us on Friday, June 21 at 7 PM for an introductory presentation. Then, meet at the museum the following day at 2 for a field trip to practice foraging on local land!
Pre-registration is required for the field trip, as space is limited. Click here to register.
CREATE: Saturday Children's Activities
From June 8 through August 17, drop by the museum every Saturday from 10 AM–12 PM for fun, FREE crafts and activities for children aged 5-10!
Full schedule of activities:
June 8: Family Pride
June 15: Till the Earth Activity
June 22: Model Forts
June 29: Barn Quilts
July 6: Firework Postcards
July 13: DIY Train Cars
July 20: Letter Writing
July 27: Church Street Festival (various activities)
August 3: Trees of VT Leaf Rubbings
August 10: Butter Churning
August 17: Corn Husk Dolls
CREATE at SAM is a museum-wide initiative to create a more fun and engaging learning environment for young people. The program consists of weekly activities for children and extended efforts to make museum exhibits more kid-friendly. Click here to learn more.
2024 Maple Festival Open House: Day 2
Drop in Friday and Saturday during Maple Festival to explore our exhibits and displays, learn about maple history in our Agriculture room, and pick up some delicious maple treats by local producers!
The 2024 Vermont Maple Festival is April 26-28, 2024. For the full schedule of events, visit vtmaplefestival.org (link to external site).
2024 Maple Festival Open House: Day 1
Drop in Friday and Saturday during Maple Festival to explore our exhibits and displays, learn about maple history in our Agriculture room, and pick up some delicious maple treats by local producers!
The 2024 Vermont Maple Festival is April 26-28, 2024. For the full schedule of events, visit vtmaplefestival.org (link to external site).
2024 Eclipse Open House
Looking for something to do while in town for the eclipse? Stop by the museum Sunday, April 7th from 1-3 PM to explore our exhibits, get a sneak peek at upcoming programs, and see photos and videos of previous solar eclipses.